Hydraulic elevator



(No Model.) W T PO'X f HYDRAULIO ELEVATOR.

No. 355,159. Patented Dec. 28, 1886.

' if in 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

N. PETERS, Pmwuma n w, Wanhi nnnnnnn c.

(No Model.) 3 Sheeim-Sheei; 2. W. T.- FOX.

HYDRAULIC ELEVATOR.

Patented Dec. 28, 1886.

N. PETERS Phfikol-ilhographnr, Waahin lun, D. C.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet.- 3. W. T. FOX.

HYDRAULIC} ELEVATOR. N0. 1355;159.

Patented Dec. 28, 1886'.-

Nv PETERS. Phowuxha m l r, Waihinghm U c UNiTnn STATES PATENT @FFIQE.

WiLLIAM T. FOX, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

HYDRAULIC ELEVATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 355,159, dated December 28, 1886,

Application filed March 8, 1886. Serial No. 194,371.

Io all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM T. FOX, a citizen of the United States, residing'at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Hydraulic Elevators, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain improvements in hydraulic elevators designed especially for economizing the amount of water employed in raising loadsof varying weight.

My invention is fully described and illustrated in the following specification and accompanying drawings, and the novel features thereof specified in the claims annexed to the said specification.

My improvements in hydraulic elevators are.

illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the valve and valve-casing on the line 00 :20, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section through the valve and valve-casing onthe line 3 y, Fig. 1. ton in the niain cylinder. Fig. 7 is a vertical section through the valve-casing on the line 2 z, Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is an elevation of the cylinder-head of the elevator shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating the course followed by the water when the elevator is descending.

In the accompanying drawings representing my hydraulic elevator, A is the main hydraulic cylinder; B, the frame or bed-plate of the machine; O and D, the sheaves ahoutwhich the rope or cable a of the elevator passes.

E is the valve-casing, within which is placed the sliding valve F, arranged to be operated, for the purpose of filling or discharging the cylinder A, by means of the rack 0, pinion b, Fig. 4, and shifting-rope pulley G, Figs. 1 and 2, to which the elevator shifting-ropes are attached.

d is the inlet-pipe, through which water enters the apparatus; e, the overflow-pipe from the main cylinder, and f the outlet-pipe or the exhaust-pipe from the inner or secondary cylinder.

The sheaves G are supported from the cyl- Fig. 6 is an elevation of the pis- (No model.)

inder-head by suitable arms or brackets, g. The sheaves D are arranged to slide on suitable ways or guides, 71, Figs. 1 and 2, which support their weight.

Within the main cylinder is placed the secondary cylinder H, Fig. 3, provided at its innor end with an annular piston, 13, fitted tightly to the main cylinder by suitable packing. The outer end of the secondary cylinder H is connected by suitable arms or brackets, j, Fig. 2, with the shaft Z, on which the sheaves revolve.

Within the inner cylinder is placed the piston I, supported from the cylinder-head J of the main cylinder by the hollow piston-rod o. The inner end of the secondary cylinder H is closed by a plate, is, provided with an outwardly opening valve 1", Fig. 3. packed within'the secondary cylinder H, so as to prevent the escape of water therefrom. The hollow pistonrod o is secured to the cylinderhead J by jam-nut s, or other suitable device, its outer end opening into a chamber, 25, on the cylinder-head, which communicates by the pipes at and f, Fig. 1, with the valve-casing E.

Water is admitted to the main cylinder through the pipe 22, Figs. 1, 2, and 4, communicating between the valve-casing E and the cylinder-header cylinder J. When the water is admitted through the pipe '0, and it is desired to utilize the pressure of the water on the whole of the end of the piston z, the water which remains in the secondary cylinder H from the previous operation of the machine is discharged through the pipe 00 and the outlet-pipe f. At this timethe full power of the machine is developed, as the water acts by its pressure on the whole area of the piston 1'. When, on the contrary, it is desired to lift a light load, for which a reduced quantity of water is required, the escape of the water from the secondary cylinder through the hol-,

The piston- I is low piston 0, chamber t, and pipe at is prevented, and water under pressure being admitted through the pipe 12 into the main cylinder A, causes the piston iand secondary cylinder H to move outward or toward the right hand in Fig. 3, and as the piston 1. inside. the secondary'cylinder is rigidly connected with the cylinder-head J by the hollow piston-rod 0, so that it cannot travel with the secondary cylinder, the water remaining in the secondary cylinder is forced'to escape through the valve into the main cylinder, thereby diminishing by the volume of the secondary cylin- Ader the amount of water required to fill the main cylinder, and rendering the pressure of the water on the piston '6 effective only, on the annular ring outside of the secondary cylinder.

In the practical construction of my appara tus I proportion the diameter of the main cylinder A to thatof the secondary cylinder H, so

- that the area of the secondary cylinder is onehalfthe areaofthepistom'in the main cylinder; but any other preferred relative proportion may be employed. When the escape of water from the inner cylinderis prevented, the press- 1 ure on theinner cylinder will rise above that in the main cylinder sufiicientlyto open the valve r and permit the water in the secondary cyl- .inder to escape into the main cylinder, thereby effecting an economy and saving of at least 2o one-half of the water when the elevator is used for raising light loads, while the construction is such as to admit the use of the pressure of the water on the full area of the piston in the main cylinder in case it is desired to raise a heavy load.

The valve-motion is designed. to accomplish the above-mentioned results-that is, to permit the application of the full power of the water on the whole area of the piston 'i, at

which time the water in the secondary cylinder is allowed to flow freely into the outletpipe; or, when desired, to use a reduced quantity of water in the main cylinder, the outlet from the inner or secondary cylinder being 5 prevented by the valve.

The valve F inside the casing E is so constructed and arranged that when moved a certain distance by the operator pulling on the shifting-rope the pressure of the water will 0 be applied to the outerportion of the pistoni only, thereby developing the least amount of lifting power on the elavator-platforin; but when it becomes necessary to lift a heavier load the valve F is moved farther in the cas- 5 ing by an additional pull on the shifting-rope, and the pressure of the water is applied tothe whole area of the piston 2'. Thus the operator, if he finds that the platform does not rise with the first pull on the shifting-rope, by giving the rope another pull is enabled to apply the full power of water to-the machine.

The valve-casing E consists of a cylindrical tube arranged parallel with or in other suitable relation to the cylinder, being provided with suitable ports or passages for the control of the water by means of the sliding valve F. The valve F consists of a rod provided with a rack, c, meshing with the teeth of the pinion b, and having attached thereto four pistons,

z z z", Fig. 4, fitted accurately within the valve-casing.

When the valve F occupies the position within the valvecasing E represented by the full lines, Fig. 4, the elevator is at rest, the

passage of water through the pipeobeing prevented by the piston z. When it is desired to usethe least power on theelevator, the valve valve-casing communicating with the pipe 12,

F is shifted to the left hand in Fig. 4, so that the piston .2 passes beyond the ports a in the o and permits the entrance of the water through 7 the inlet-pipe d and its passage through the valve-casing and port a into the pipe 2). from which it is delivered into the main cylinder. By this movement of the Valve F the piston z is shifted to position indicated by dotted lines at z, but it still continues to prevent the escape of water from the inner cylinder, H, through the pipe :0, the port 0', and the outletpipe f, as communication between the pipe :1: 8c and the outlet is prevented by the valve at z. When it is desired to use the full power of the water on the whole area of the piston 17, the valve F is shifted still farther to the left hand, as indicated bythe full lines in Fig. 5, in which case the water passes as before from the valvecasing through the port a and the pipe'v into the main cylinder A, while the piston z is now shifted beyond the port 0, so as to permit the escape of the water from the inner cylinder through the hollow piston 0, chamber t, pipe as, port 0, and outletpipe f, thereby allowing the free escape of the water from the cylinder H, and utilizing the pressure of the water on the whole surface of the piston i.

In'order to cause the elevator to descend, the valve F is shifted so that the piston 2 passes to the right hand beyond the port a and the water in the main cylinder, as the piston 1' moves inward, is discharged through the pipe 41, valve-casing E, and the pipe d, which curves around, as shown in Fig. 2, and connects with the pipe at at c, Fig. 4, so as to allow the water to escape through the outletpipef. From the pipe dthe bent tube 0 rises upward to a point somewhat above the main cylinder. As the piston i moves inward a vacuum would be formed iuthe inner cylinder, H, unless provision were made for the entrance of water into the cylinder. This I accomplish by connecting the chamber t with the pipe as by means of the pipe f. A portion of the water which is escaping from the main cylinder through the pipe (1 is drawn into the inner cylinder through the pipe f and the hollow piston-rod 0. The valve r remains closed during the inward motion of the piston 2'. When the inner cylinder, H, has arrived at the extremity of its inner travel, it has become filled with water, which is taken from the main cylinder, thereby effecting an economy of at least one-halfof the total amou nt of water when the elevator is used for light loads. The pipe 6 rises upward to a point somewhat above the top of the main cylinder A, and is thenceled downward to the sewer or or other place of discharge of the waste water. The excess of water from the main cylinder, above what is required to fill the inner cylinder, escapes through the pipe 6 to the sewer. The check-valve h is arranged so that the water can pass through it in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figs. 2 and 9, but cannot pass in the reverse direction. The

water-escaping from the main cylinder will pass in part into the inner cylinder, instead of rising up the pipe 6, until the inner cylinder becomes filled. The piston i is formed by av flange on the inner cylinder, against which a plate,.k, Fig. 3, is secured, a cup leather being introduced between the flange and the plate, and an additional plate, m, carrying the valve 1', being applied to the plate k, with a cup-leather between the two, which forms a packing about the hollow piston-rod 0.

In Fig.9 I have represented by a diagram the connection of the inlet and discharge pipes with the hydraulic cylinder and the course followed by the water when the piston is returning and the elevator-platform descending. At this time the water passes from the cylinder A through the pipe 1) and port a into the valve-casing E, and thence a portion of it passes off through the overflow-pipe e, which rises slightly above the top of the cylinder A into the sewer or other suitable place of discharge, while sufficient water to fill the inner cylinder, H, is drawn into it from the valvecasing E through the pipe (1, check-valve h, pipe j, chamber t, and hollow piston-rod 0.

The operation of my improved elevator is as follows: If a light load is to be lifted, the operator, by a pull on the shifter-rope, turns the pinion b, so as to shift the valve a to the left beyond the port a, thereby permitting the entrance of water ,into the main clylinder A through the pipe o. The pressure of the water on the pistoni forces the sheaves D toward the right hand, thereby raising the platform of the elevator by means of the lifting-cable, in a well-known manner. The water remaining in the inner or secondary cylinder, H, from the last operation of the machine escapes through the valve rinto the main cylinder. WVhen the operator desires to descend, he tu ms, the pinion b by means of the shifter-rope, so as to move the valve 2 to the right hand in Fig. 4, beyond the port to, thereby permitting the waterin the main cylinder to escape through the pipe 1) and port a into the pipe (1, from which a portion of it passes through the checkvalve h into the pipe 00, and thence by pipef into the chamber t, and through the hollow piston-rod 0 into the inner cylinder, H, while the balance escapes through the pipe 6 into the sewer. In case the operator finds that the pressure of water on the annular portion of the piston z outsidetheinner cylinder, H, isinsufficientto raise the load, he shifts the valve still farther to the left hand by another pull on the shifter-rope until the valve 2 passes beyond the port 0, (see Fig, 5,) in which case the water in theinner cylinder will be permitted to escape by the outlet-pipe f through the hollow piston-rod 0, chamber 1, pipes f and x, and the port 0. The apparatus now acts like an elevator of ordinary construction, the pressure of water acting on the whole area of the piston i. The operation of my improved elevator in descending after lifting a heavy load is the same as that already described for a light load, a portion of the water from the main cylinder passingthrough the check-valve it into the .inner cylinder and the balance through pipe 6 to the sewer.

' The weight of the inner movable cylinder and piston 1 maybesupported by a roller running on the interior of the cylinder A, as represented in the drawings.

I"claim y 1. In a hydraulic 'elevator, the combination of a main cylinder having inlet and discharge passages in communication therewith, an inner movable cylinder connected. to the weight to be moved, constituting a piston for the main cylinder and having a valve for effecting communication between the two cylinders, a piston in the inner cylinder, means of communication between the discharge of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder, and

valves for controlling the inlet and discharge to and from the main cylinder, whereby by a manipulation of valves the water in the inner cylinder may be caused to pass into the light loads are to be moved.

2. In a hydraulic elevator, the combination, substantially such as described, of a main cylinder, an inner movable cylinder forming a piston for the main cylinder and having a valve for effecting communication between the two cylinders, a stationary piston within the movable cylinder, inlet and discharge passages to and from the main cylinder, valves for controlling said passages, means of communication 'between the discharge-passage of the main cylinder and the innercylinder, and

outer cylinder and be there reutilized when 7 an overflow-pipe connected to said dischargepassage, for the purpose specified.

3. In a hydraulic elevator, the combination,

substantially as described, of the maincylinder, the inner movable cylinder having the valve, the stationary piston within the movable cylinder, inlet and discharge passages leading to and from the main cylinder, valves for controlling said passages, means of communication between the discharge-passage and'in-.

ner cylinder, and a check-valve in the discharge-passage.-

4. In a hydraulic elevator, the combination, substantially as described, of the main cylinder, the inner movable cylinder having the valve, the stationary piston within the mova ble cylinder, inlet and discharge passages leading to and from the main cylinder, valves for controlling said passages, means of communication between the discharge-passage and inner cylinder, and a check-valve and overflowpipe in the discharge-passage.

5. In the herein-described hydraulicelevator, .the combination of the main cylinder,

the inner movable cylinder having the valve, the stationary piston havinga hollow pistonrod in the inner cylinder, inlet and discharge passages to and from the main cylinder with valves controlling the same, and means of communication between the hollow piston-rod and the discharge-passage.

6. In the herein-described hydraulic elevator, the combination, with the main cylinder, the inner movable cylinder, and the valve, of the stationary piston in the main cylinder, the inlet and discharge passages leading to and from the main cylinder, means of communication between themain cylinder and the discharge-passage,and the movable valve F, having the pistons z z z z, for cooperating with the ports in the inlet and discharge passages, as set forth.

7. The combination, with the main cylinder A, hollow piston-rod 0, and piston I, of the inner movable cylinder, H,pro\'ided with piston i, fitted to rod 0 and to main cylinder A, valve F, pipes 22 and f, and overflow-pipe I e, substantially as described.

8. In a hydraulic elevator, the combination passages in communication therewith, an inner movable cylinder constituting a piston for the main cylinder and having an automatic valve opening toward the main cylinder for eflecting communication between the two cylinders a piston in the inner cylinder, means of communication between the discharge of the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder,and means for controlling the inlet and discharge to and from the main cylinder, whereby by a manipulation of valves the water in the inner cylinder may be caused to pass into the outer cylinder and be there reutilized, substantially as described.

I WILLIAM T. FOX.

Witnesses:

H. G. PHILLIPS, 'JoHN E. SHARPE. 

